All church articles
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ArticleA Christian parent’s guide to mandatory reporting: What’s going on and why it matters
Trigger Warning: This article contains information about child sexual abuse
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ArticleWhen church attendance isn’t simple: Parenting, faith, and the beauty of flexibility
When our children were young, attending church on Sundays and midweek was a regular, prioritised part of our weekly rhythm. If you’d asked me back then, with toddlers in tow, what parenting teenagers would look like, I’d have confidently told you church attendance would be mandatory.
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ArticleIt takes a village: Rediscovering biblical parenting through community
Think of how often the wider faith community shaped the lives of biblical characters. When Jesus was 12, his mum and dad found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions – absorbing the wisdom in the room. He gravitated towards those who could teach him and guide him. Moses was raised by his biological mother, Pharoah’s daughter and the Egyptian royal court. His mum saved him from certain death, but it took the care, protection and the influence of different people from diverse cultures to shape him into the leader he became. Timothy’s faith was nurtured by multiple generations of women before Paul stepped in as a spiritual mentor. And Samuel – his mum, Hannah, entrusted her son to the care of the temple community. Orphaned Esther was taken in by her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as his own daughter and played a crucial role in God’s plan to save the Jewish people from annihilation.
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ArticleHaving a Disability Champion can revolutionise life for disabled youth and children in your church
When we moved to our current church a few years ago, most people who talked with me for more than a few minutes soon discovered that I’m passionate about churches becoming more accessible for disabled people, including disabled young people and children. It wasn’t too long before our vicar approached me and asked if I would consider being the Disability Champion for our church. After praying about it, I gladly accepted. I want churches to not only welcome and include disabled adults, youth and children, but to also be places where they can feel that they truly belong. But what is a Disability Champion and why might your church need one?
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ArticleIf you want to change the world, start a toddler group!
Becky May believes this ministry to parents, carers and young children could be the most undervalued aspect of your local church’s ministry.
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ArticleLetter from America
Loyd Harp reflects on his time in the UK and the move back to his home nation
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ArticleFour reasons why a traditional Eucharist can be an all-age service
We can all to easily write off formal or traditional models of church as boring, inaccessible or tired. And I admit there is potentially a little fire to the smoke of this – I know of parents who have struggled under the withering stares of congregation members as their infant wriggles, squirms and screeches in their lap. But this is not the only story of families in traditional church services.
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ArticleWhy some parents can be grizzly bears
Every child and young person needs support to help them learn or engage with activities. Some need additional or different support from those of the same age to ensure that everyone benefits from all they participate in. We want to address some of the important questions around these needs. Welcome to ‘All inclusive’.
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ArticleWhat does Proverbs 22:6 really mean?
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
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ArticleIs Christian youth work disappearing?
Tim Gough puts our youth work in a historical context and asks: “What’s next?”
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ArticleIs it the church worker’s job to teach my kids about God?
Well, yes. And no.If you are in a church wealthy enough to employ staff whose role is children’s or youth work, that’s great! Giving your tithe towards the employment of an expert dedicated to reaching out and helping raise the next generation in the faith is a ...
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ArticleChurch and monarchy made simple
It’s just possible that your inquisitive children and young people will ask you questions about the monarchy, with all the news coverage of the Queen’s passing and the new king. Andy Peck provides an ‘explainer’ so you are not caught on the hop.
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ArticleAll together now
When Jesus looks at your village, town or city he sees just one church. You may be a different expression of that from the one down the road. But Jesus sees you as one. Claire Farley unpacks what this might look like for you in your community
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ArticleGreat expectations
There are many expectations in our ministry – those held by church leadership, young people, parents and families and the congregation to name but a few. And when thinking about these, it’s important to distinguish between two things – expectations related to a role description (what you expect someone to do) and expectations related to a person specification (who you expect someone to be).
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ArticleA Christian convert in an ancient church
Reflecting on poet and author Paul Kingsnorth’s recent conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy, Harry Howard explains why his own journey to faith has also led him to an ancient form of Christianity.
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ArticleA week in the life of Alex Taylor
Alex is a freelance writer, editor and trainer, working for part of his time as resources editor for YCW. He tells us about this week in Milton Keynes, where he lives, both inside and outside work.
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ArticleThe inclusive power of a holiday club
Are you planning a holiday club for this summer? Many churches will be running one for the first time since the pandemic and if that’s your church too, then you’ve got a golden opportunity to use it as a way to become more inclusive of children and young people with additional needs.
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ArticleCathedral launches story-based gaming app
Hereford Cathedral has launched a new children’s gaming app that allows kids to explore the history and heritage of the church.
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ArticleChristian RE laws breach human rights legislation
Laws requiring all schools in Northern Ireland to provide faith-based Christian religious education and collective worship breach human rights legislation, the High Court has ruled.
